The pool phase of the African Champions League reaches the halfway mark this weekend, with favourites ASEC Mimosa of Ivory Coast in deep trouble.
They have looked anything but top seeds in Group A when coming from behind at home to draw 1-1 with Ismailia of Egypt and losing 1-0 away to surprise packets Simba of Tanzania.
These results have left the 1998 champions bottom of the table, three points behind Ismailia and two adrift of Enyimba of Nigeria and Simba, who upset title holders Zamalek of Egypt in the final qualifying round.
ASEC visit the south-east Nigerian town of Aba this weekend to face Enyimba, an equally demoralised team after a 6-1 drubbing by Ismailia in North Africa two weeks ago.
In defence of the Nigerians, they skillfully contained their opponents until the first half dismissal of Ogbonna Okemiri for a second caution. His absence was immediately felt, and the floodgates opened after half-time.
Enyimba looked much more like the title contenders they long to be in the opening series of mini-league matches, scoring three goals in 10 minutes to sink Simba 3-0 on a rain-drenched pitch.
The clashes between the Nigerian and Ivorian champions — they meet again in Abidjan two weeks later — are likely to decide who accompanies Ismailia into the semifinals and Enyimba should win at home and gain a psychological edge.
Simba, who upset Santos of South Africa before edging Zamalek on penalties, host Ismailia, who boast the joint leading Champions League scorer in Dramane Traore, a giant Malian striker who has bagged six goals from as many games.
Esperance of Tunisia, showing more fight, but less flair than in previous unsuccessful challenges for the $1-million first prize, are sitting pretty in Group B after beating Canon Yaounde of Cameroon and USMA of Algeria.
Canon and AS Aviacao of Angola have won and lost and will probably battle for the second qualifying place, while pointless USMA are paying the penalty for a lacklustre attack and appear out of contention already.
An Aviacao team coached by Bernardino Pedroto from Portugal host Esperance, who can call on crack striker Ali Zitouni for the first time in the pool phase after his recovery from injury.
This intriguing fixture could produce a draw, and there may be a similar result in Blida with USMA desperate to salvage some pride, while Canon will enjoy the smooth surface after beating Aviacao on a Cameroonian cabbage patch. — Sapa-AFP